Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations

At Hearing, Kucinich Bashes Insurance Companies

An afternoon hearing today seeks to better understand how private health insurance works. Capitol News Connection reports: "This afternoon Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) leads Day Two of a House oversight inquiry. The Ohio Democrat wants to know how private health insurance companies decide whom to cover and which claims to pay. And how those decisions translate to profit ratios" (Johnson, 9/17).

ABC News had video and text on the hearing that was held yesterday, saying it highlighted the "often heart-wrenching struggles some Americans face in dealing with the 'private health insurance bureaucracy.' ... 'We're always more informed when we hear about personal experience, said subcommittee Chairman Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio. At the hearing, lawmakers of both parties agreed that delays  or denials  of coverage ... are unjustifiable" (Dwyer, 9/16).

The Plain Dealer: "The U.S. health insurance industry places profits over patients and needs reform, ex-insurance company workers and relatives of patients who fought seemingly arbitrary claim denials told a congressional subcommittee on Wednesday." Various former insurance employees spoke about how companies avoid risk by delaying care and denying people and reward employees for creating denials and producing cost-savings. The AP says "Executives from CIGNA, Humana, Aetna, Wellpoint and other health insurers are scheduled to testify" today (Eaton, 9/16).

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